Building Thriving Web3 Communities: Key Insights and Strategies
Insights from Salad's recent Community Tuesday event in Singapore
Yesterday, I moderated an insightful panel featuring some of the brightest minds in Web3. Joining me were Chris Sirise, Co-Founder of Pixelmon/MON Protocol, Alex Svanevik, CEO of Nansen, and TN, Co-Founder of Pendle.
Together, we delved into the secrets of building thriving Web3 communities.
Here’s what we uncovered.
Our discussion kicked off with an in-depth look at Pudgy Penguins’ approach to community building.
Their strategy focuses on fostering deep engagement rather than simply increasing numbers. This may sound straightforward, but it’s a game-changer. By prioritizing quality over quantity, Pudgy Penguins has cultivated a loyal and active community, setting a strong foundation for sustainable growth. The key lies in the strength of the community’s connections and their shared vision for the future. Emotional connection and storytelling play crucial roles in resonating deeply with community members, highlighting the importance of genuine connections in the Web3 space.
Next, we tackled the ever-controversial topic of community airdrops.
Airdrops can certainly boost initial sentiment and engagement, but they come with a caveat. Often, they attract freeloaders who are more interested in quick gains than long-term participation. The panelists emphasized the need for careful management of airdrops to strike a balance between rewarding loyal users and avoiding negative impacts on community retention. Airdrops are a double-edged sword. Used wisely, they can be a valuable tool, but they are far from a one-size-fits-all solution. Implementing criteria that reward genuine participation and contribution, rather than merely holding tokens, can mitigate these challenges and foster a more engaged community.
Then came one of the most heated debates of the evening: linear time-based versus performance-based airdrop vesting.
Which is the better approach? The consensus leaned towards performance-based vesting. Why? Because it aligns the community’s incentives with the project’s success. This creates a more motivated and engaged user base, as participants are rewarded based on their contributions and achievements rather than simply holding on for a set period. Performance-based vesting ensures that those who add real value to the community are the ones who benefit the most, thereby promoting a healthier and more dynamic ecosystem. This discussion highlighted the importance of aligning incentives in a way that benefits both the project and its community.
But what happens when things go south?
Reviving community engagement after negative price action is a significant challenge, but not an insurmountable one. The panelists shared their insights on this critical issue. Consistent communication, transparency, and delivering real value to the community are crucial. Building trust and showcasing the project’s potential can help rekindle interest and engagement, even after setbacks. It’s about maintaining a positive narrative and demonstrating that the project still has much to offer.
Monetizing and growing a community without appearing greedy is another tightrope walk. The secret, according to our panelists, is to focus on providing value first and monetizing second. This approach helps build genuine relationships and offers meaningful benefits to the community, creating a sustainable revenue model that doesn’t alienate users. Striking the right balance between monetization and community building ensures that the latter isn’t compromised for the former.
From an investment standpoint, the panelists shared some invaluable insights.
Engagement over scale is the mantra. A highly engaged small community often outperforms a large, disengaged one. For VCs, this means prioritizing projects with committed user bases over those with sheer numbers. Engagement signals a dedicated and active community, which is more valuable in the long run. This insight is crucial for venture capitalists evaluating Web3 projects, as it underscores the importance of quality over quantity.
Here are some golden nuggets from our discussion that you can’t afford to miss:
1. Native Yield for BTC: Brace yourself. The market is moving towards providing native yield for Bitcoin, and this is set to be a huge narrative in the second half of 2024. This could be a game-changer, influencing how communities engage with and invest in Bitcoin.
2. Relationship Building: Building a community one relationship at a time is the most effective strategy. Significant relationships with big players and influencers attract the general public. It’s about creating a network of meaningful connections that drive organic growth and engagement.
3. Price Action Over Product: For small projects with low fully diluted valuations (FDV), market traction is everything. No traction, no attention. This underscores the importance of achieving visibility and momentum in the market to draw attention to your product.
4. Starting Fresh: It’s often easier to build something new than to revive a failed project. While it may seem counterintuitive, starting from scratch allows for a clean slate and the opportunity to avoid past mistakes. This insight is particularly relevant for founders considering whether to pivot or restart a project.
5. Product-Market Fit First: All founders agreed—achieving product-market fit before launching a token is crucial. It ensures the token has a solid foundation and the project is ready to scale. This step is vital for the long-term success and sustainability of any Web3 initiative.
6. Airdrops as a Tool: Airdrops can be a useful tool for building communities if managed well. However, the focus should always be on attracting real users rather than opportunistic airdrop farmers. Implementing criteria that reward genuine participation and contribution can help in building a committed user base. This highlights the need for strategic planning and execution when using airdrops as part of your community-building efforts.
For VCs, these insights underscore the importance of evaluating the engagement levels and sustainability of a project’s community. Prioritize projects that focus on genuine user engagement and have a clear path to monetization. These are the projects that will thrive.
Founders must build strong individual relationships and ensure product-market fit before considering a token launch. Airdrops can be beneficial if managed well, but the goal should always be to create real value for genuine users. This strategy will build a loyal and engaged community that supports the project’s growth and success.
Our panel provided a treasure trove of insights into the nuances of building and sustaining thriving Web3 communities. By focusing on genuine engagement, transparent communication, and strategic growth, both venture capitalists and founders can navigate the complexities of the Web3 landscape effectively. These principles are not just theoretical; they are actionable strategies that can be implemented to achieve tangible results.
Sign up for our next event to gain more strategies and perspectives from industry leaders. The next panel will continue to feature the best projects, investors and professionals in the Web3 scene in Singapore.
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